Fest to Feature Colors, Sounds of Spring Arts Classes

May 3, 2012

It’s spring and hence time for students to show off their creative work from more than 40 School of Arts and Humanities courses.

The Student Arts Spring Festival gives audiences the opportunity to take in classical music, jazz, theater, dance, guitar, piano and vocal performances, as well as an art exhibition and reception. The festival, which involves the work of more than 600 students, starts Thursday and stretches over two weeks.

Highlights for the first week include the Spring Dance Show, a visual arts reception and a concert from Musica Nova.

On Thursday, May 3, at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre, The Spring Dance Show will feature student works developed in UT Dallas’ dance composition course. The show runs until Saturday.

A visual arts reception will be held on Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Visual Arts Building. Students will exhibit work produced throughout the year and judges will name their favorite pieces.

At 8 p.m., Musica Nova will perform in Jonsson Performance Hall. UT Dallas composer and professor of music Robert Xavier Rodríguez will direct the concert. Music faculty members Michael McVay and Winston Stone will play alongside guest violinist Chloé Trevor.

“We’re happy to have violinist Chloé Trevor playing in the concert. She’s a rising star in the musical world,” said Rodríguez.

The concert is titled La Bonne Cuisine after Leonard Bernstein’s song cycle based on French food recipes. All of the music is either French or inspired by French models.

“There will be a lot of variety – from Vierne’s monumental Piano Quintet to a can-can by Satie,” added Rodríguez.

Rodríguez said the concert sells out quickly each year and suggested attendees arrive early.